Could Filibuster Reform Make Things Worse?

While President Obama is sure to have an easier time getting his nominees through the Senate now that it only takes a simple majority, Jonathan Weisman speculates that the move “could usher in an era of rank partisan warfare beyond even what Americans have seen in the past five years.”

“Republicans may not be able to muster the votes to block Democrats on procedure, but they can force every nomination into days of debate between every procedural vote in the Senate book — of which there will be many. And legislation, at least for now, is still very much subject to the filibuster.”

But the Washington Post sees things differently: “The Senate vote…should make it easier for President Obama to accomplish key second-term priorities, including tougher measures on climate change and financial regulation, that have faced intense opposition from Republicans in Congress.”